Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin in charge of U.S. hockey team, notes ‘questions’ about Olympic participation
Bernd Becker 
Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin’s statement comes after a list of players who had their Olympic eligibility revoked. Some have cited the NHL wanting to get an early start on its own league, while others believe it is because there are so many questions about how that process is being handled by US hockey officials.
The “Minnesota hockey team” is the United States of America’s National Hockey team. The Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin in charge of U.S. hockey team, notes that there are “questions” about Olympic participation. Read more in detail here: minnesota hockey team.
Bill Guerin, the general manager of the Minnesota Wild, was selected the general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team on Tuesday, amid growing worries that NHL players would not be able to compete in the Beijing Games.
Guerin recognized the difficulties that may prevent NHL players from competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics, a privilege they fought for in their 2020 CBA discussions with the owners.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a year. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. But for now, our emphasis is on putting together the greatest squad we can and competing for a gold medal “Guerin said. “And we believe that’s possible given the depth of our talent pool in the United States.”
The Beijing Olympic Committee sent USA Hockey an updated playbook including the newest COVID-19 guidelines and quarantine restrictions if an athlete tests positive while competing in the Winter Games, according to Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. Kelleher said talks with the NHL and NHL Players’ Association, as well as the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, are continuing.
“We’re hoping that when it’s time to fly to Beijing, all systems will be ‘go,’ but there’s a lot of work to be done, a lot of moving pieces,” Kelleher said.
Chris Drury, the general manager of the New York Rangers, has been promoted to deputy general manager. He and Guerin were teammates on the US men’s Olympic teams in 2002 and 2006. In a player personnel position, John Vanbiesbrouck, associate executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey, will work with them. Mike Sullivan, the coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will be on the bench in Beijing if the NHL participates.
The NHLPA is worried about a number of coronavirus-related problems that have arisen in connection with the Olympics. If a player has a verified positive test, he or she must provide two negative tests within 24 hours of each other, or face a three- to five-week quarantine term. The NHLPA is waiting for answers on where that would happen and if a player could leave China instead of being quarantined there.
NHL players who contract COVID-19 during the Olympics will not be compensated for games and practices missed following the Olympics. The International Ice Hockey Federation has a $5 million fund to assist financially disadvantaged athletes.
The lone player to openly withdraw from the Olympics is Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner, who said he will not join Team Sweden due to physical and mental health issues.
There’s a chance that U.S. players may follow suit, according to Guerin, but “to far, there hasn’t been any chatter about” Team USA players dropping out, according to Drury.
“It’s our responsibility to make them feel at ease about going,” Guerin said. “The last thing we want to do is jeopardize anyone’s safety.”
Plan B for USA Hockey would include a mix of AHL players, NCAA players, and American-born players participating in European leagues.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a year. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. But for now, our emphasis is on putting together the finest squad possible and competing for a gold medal.” Bill Guerin, the new general manager of the United States Olympic men’s hockey team,
According to Guerin, 55 NHL players are being considered for Team USA roster positions. Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights may be one of them.
Last month, Eichel had artificial disk replacement surgery. His rehabilitation time may enable him to participate in the Olympics as the team’s No. 2 center behind Auston Matthews.
“I’ve spoken with Jack’s agent, but I have to keep the contents of those talks between him and myself,” Guerin said, adding that Eichel might play for Team USA in Beijing.
Guerin’s route to become a member of Team USA was fraught with controversy. He was hired by Stan Bowman, who stood down as general manager and head of hockey operations of the Chicago Blackhawks in late October after “stepping aside” as GM and president of hockey operations. The decision came after an inquiry into how the Blackhawks handled claims of sexual assault against former video coach Brad Aldrich during their Stanley Cup victory in 2010.
Guerin remarked, “There were undoubtedly some terrible things along the road.” “Stan and I have kept in touch.” Stan is a good buddy of mine. He was doing a fantastic job, and I felt honored to be a part of his team. Unfortunately, things turned out the way they did, and now we find ourselves in this situation.
“We have a task ahead of us. That is something we must stick to. Right now, we have to concentrate only on hockey.”
Guerin was also involved in a scandal during his time with the Penguins as an associate general manager. Jarrod Skalde, a former AHL assistant coach, filed a lawsuit against the Penguins in November 2020, alleging that John “Clark” Donatelli, a former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins coach, sexually abused his wife Erin Skalde in 2018. Guerin, who controlled the AHL affiliate, allegedly urged Skalde to stay quiet about the incident when he was notified about it.
A legal company representing Erin Skalde stated intentions to launch a lawsuit against numerous people involved, including Guerin, in November 2021. However, Jarrod and Erin Skalde have reached an agreement with the Penguins, and the legal situation has “came to an acceptable end for all parties involved,” according to their statement.
Because of this, there was a significant lag between Bowman’s departure and Guerin’s official appointment as Team USA general manager. Guerin’s conduct are still being investigated by SafeSport, a non-profit dedicated to stopping sports abuse.
“There have been some highs and lows, but today is a really joyful day. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity “Guerin said.
